Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Foreword
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- The Xhosa Poetry of Nontsizi Mgqwetho
- 1 Imbongi u Chizama Chizama the poet
- 2 Imbongikazi Nontsizi u Chizama Nontsizi Chizama, the woman poet
- 3 [Uqekeko lwe Congress] [The split within Congress]
- 4 Imbongikazi No “Abantu-Batho” The woman poet and Abantu-Batho
- 5 Iziko le Nyembezi The vale of tears
- 6 Imbongi ye Zibuko The poet of the ford
- 7 Umpanga ka Mama Mama's death
- 8 Ingxoxo yo Mginwa ku Magqoboka! A Red debates with Christians
- 9 Unyikimo Lomhlaba-E-Rautini Johannesburg earthquake
- 10 Maibuye! I Afrika! Awu! Come back, Africa! Awu!
- 11 Yacombuluka! Inamba u 1923 ebisoloko ifukamele ukunduluka A long lying-in, then the python uncoils and leaves! (1923)
- 12 Ufikile! Udubulesendlwini bac'ol'i nto emnyango! Kuse beyifanisa (New Year) It's here! Find-at-the-Door-What-you-Shot-from-Inside and only later identified! (New Year)
- 13 Pulapulani! Makowetu Listen, compatriots!
- 14 Abaprofeti benyaniso-nabo-buxoki Prophets false and true
- 15 Zatsha! Inkomo Nomazakuzaku! Something's coming!
- 16 Induli ka Xakeka!—Enyukwa ngu Ntu!! The hill Difficulty the black man scales
- 17 Umanyano! Basebenzi Abantsundu!! Unity, black workers!
- 18 Umpanga! ka Rev BS Mazwi The loss of Rev BS Mazwi
- 19 Vumisani! kwi Nyange Lemihla!! Consult the ancient sage!
- 20 Ingwe Idla Ngamabala!! Spots feed the leopard
- 21 I Afrika ihleli Ayiyangandawo!! Africa stayed! She's nowhere else!!
- 22 Ikona na Intaba Oyaziyo? Kwezi Zimiyo Eyaka Yafuduka? Show me the mountain that packed up and left
- 23 Isimbonono Saba Zali!! Lament of the parents
- 24 Zipina Inkokeli Ezinje ngo Daniel? Where are leaders like Daniel?
- 25 Ifikile! Ingqongqo Yomnqamlezo!! (Good Friday) He's here! The Drum of the Cross!! (Good Friday)
- 26 Sicope Emasebeni Emiti Njengentaka!! We perch like birds on twigs
- 27 Iziko Lenyembezi!! The vale of tears
- 28 Sahluke Pina Tina ku Kayin? How do we differ from Cain?
- 29 Izibuko!! A ford!
- 30 Ukutula! Ikwakukuvuma!! Silence implies consent
- 31 Umanyano! Nomfela ndawonye!! Prayer Union and Die-As-One
- 32 Kuguzulwa Okumkani! Kumiswe Okumkani!! The king is dead! Long live the king!
- 33 Isizwe! Esingavaniyo! Nesingavelaniyo! Siyadwatywa Zezinye!! Strangers strip a squabbling nation
- 34 Utywala Sisiqu Sempundulu! Liquor's the lightning-bird itself
- 35 Siyayibinza!—I Afrika!! We're stabbing Africa!
- 36 Imimiselo ye Zizwe! Iwugqwetile Lomhlaba ka Palo! Foreign laws have upended this land of Phalo!
- 37 Izililo! Ze Afrika!! Africa's wailings
- 38 Emva! Kumasiko Andulo!! Back to age-old ways!
- 39 Abafazi! Bomtandazo!! Pulapula!!! Women of the Prayer Unions Listen!
- 40 Saxulutywa!—Ngamatye Omsebenzi!! Our efforts stone us!
- 41 Mene! Mene! Tekele! Ufarsin!! Mene! Mene! Tekel! Parsin!!
- 42 “Masizake”!! Yin’ nale!!! What's this? Let's build for each other!
- 43 “Ub'inqo”! We-Afrika!! Africa's petticoat
- 44 Umfula! Wosizi!! The stream of despair
- 45 Ziyazaliseka—Ngoku! Izihlabo ko Ntsundu!! Pulapula!!! The prophecies about blacks have now come to pass! Listen!
- 46 Ingonyama! Yobumnyama Isagquma!! The lion of blackness still roars
- 47 Amaqaba! Pulapula Reds! Listen
- 48 Singu-Ndabamlonyeni! We're the topic of talk
- 49 Lunguza! Ku-ya-sa Take a look, dawn's breaking
- 50 Sesanina? Esisimb'onono? What's this lament?
- 51 Lityumtyum! E-Afrika!! Pulapula!!! Something's rotten in Africa Listen!
- 52 Inyikima e Rautini! Gqala esase Sodom!! Joburg earthquake: remember Sodom
- 53 Wabutwana—Afrika? Njengezitungu—Zesanda? Are you bundled for threshing, Africa?
- 54 Yintsomi yo Nomeva!! The tale of the wasps
- 55 Ukuba Umntu! Akakwazi!! Ukuyongamela Eyake-Indlu!!! Angatinina Ukupata Isizwe Sika Tixo? If a man can't rule his own house, how would he manage God's nation?
- 56 Hosanna!! Melkizedek!!! (Xmas) Hosanna! Melchizedek!! (Xmas)
- 57 Zemk’ Inkomo Zetafa! Zeza Nenkungu!! They are stealing our cattle on misty plains!
- 58 Yaqengqelekana Iminyaka Umi Ndaweninye? Will the years roll by while you mark time?
- 59 Watsha Umzi! Lupawu Luka Kayini!! (Passport) The mark of Cain (the pass) enflames the land
- 60 Ubusuku—Bunzulu! Ekuzeni—Kokusa!! The night is deep before the dawn
- 61 Wazinyatela na? Intombi Zezwe Lako Zibe Ngamakoboka? Are you trampling your nation's girls to enslave them?
- 62 Lipina Iqula Lamanzi e Afrika? Where's a well in Africa?
- 63 Tabata! Naso Isitshixo!! Esikinxe Izwe Lako!!! There's the key to the lock on your land: take it!
- 64 Vumani! Siyavuma!! “Agree!” “Agreed!!”
- 65 Zapela Inkomo! Luqaulo Lwemitshato!! Cattle are lost in divorce
- 66 Mazibhange! Izikumbuzo Ezingenalo u Manyano Stop the divisive commemorations
- 67 Wapulwana Afrika Njengesitya Esingananziweyo? Africa, are you trashed like a worthless plate?
- 68 Siyavuma!! Agreed!
- 69 Ngubani Oti Ukuvumisa Akufuneki? Who said there's no need of divination?
- 70 Tsheca-Lomgibe!! Snap this snare
- 71 Ukuxoka! Pulapula!! Gossip! Listen!!
- 72 Nantso-Igushakazi! Pantsi Kwabaguguli!! (Good Friday) Behold the lamb set for shearing (Good Friday)
- 73 Qengqa!-Elolitye!! (Easter) Roll back the stone! (Easter)
- 74 Tixo Wam! Tixo Wam! Undishiyelanina? My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?
- 75 Hambani! Niyekuzenza Abafundi Zonke Intlanga!! Go forth and teach all nations
- 76 Siyakuzizekela Ninina Uzuko? When will we gain ourselves glory?
- 77 Hosanna! Cibi Elino Mnqwazi Ngapezulu!! (Xmas) Hosanna, Lake with a bonnet on top! (Xmas)
- 78 Zemk’ Inkomo Zetafa!! 1925 On the plains they're stealing our cattle! 1925
- 79 Yaqengqelekana Yonke Iminyaka Umi ndaweninye? (1926) Will the years all roll by while you mark time? (1926)
- 80 Ilizwe-Liyakutungwa-Njengengubo!! The country will be patched like clothing!!
- 81 Umanyano! Mihlamb’ Eyalanayo!! Unity, diverse sheep!!
- 82 Nalo Igazi! Lidyob’ Umzimba Wake!! (Good Friday) Look at his blood-flecked body (Good Friday)
- 83 Vuyani! Uxolile u Tixo Wezulu! (Easter) Agree! God in heaven's reconciled!! (Easter)
- 84 Umona! Pulapula!! Envy! Listen!!
- 85 Simi pina? Where do we stand?
- 86 Isizwe Esingena Tixo Siyatshabalala A godless nation perishes
- 87 U-Yehova Uyasivana? Does Jehovah hear us?
- 88 Namhla Izwi Lake Lise Zaqwitini!! (Usuku loku Nyukela) Today he roars in a whirlwind! (Ascension Day)
- 89 Isimbonono se Afrika!! Africa's lament!!
- 90 Utando!! Love!!
- 91 Umanyano Nomfela Ndawonye! Prayer Union and Die-As-One
- 92 Yeyapina Lemfundiso? Where does this teaching come from?
- 93 Siyayikumbula Njena Indlala? Do we remember the famine?
- 94 Uvelwano! Pulapula!! Sympathy! Listen!!
- 95 Yacombuluka Inamba Ebisoloke Ifukamele Ukunduluka (Abefundisi) A long lying-in, then the python uncoils and leaves (Ministers)
- 96 Umonde!! Patience
- 97 Yayisenzelwa Ntonina i Bhaibhile? Why was the bible created?
- 98 Azi Le Afrika Iyakuze Ibuye na? Will this Africa ever come back?
- 99 Vumani! Siyavuma!! “Agree!” “Agreed!!”
- 100 Lomzi Wakona na Sawubizana? Did we invite this nation of theirs?
- 101 Sabelani Niyabizwa Balindi Watchmen, respond: you're summoned!!
- 102 Gqumani Zilwandle! Gcobani Mihlaba! (Xmas) Roar, oceans! Frolic, continents!! (Xmas)
- 103 Zemk'Inkomo Zetafa—Vula Ndingene! On the plains they're stealing our cattle!
- Notes
- Bibliography
Introduction
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 June 2019
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Foreword
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- The Xhosa Poetry of Nontsizi Mgqwetho
- 1 Imbongi u Chizama Chizama the poet
- 2 Imbongikazi Nontsizi u Chizama Nontsizi Chizama, the woman poet
- 3 [Uqekeko lwe Congress] [The split within Congress]
- 4 Imbongikazi No “Abantu-Batho” The woman poet and Abantu-Batho
- 5 Iziko le Nyembezi The vale of tears
- 6 Imbongi ye Zibuko The poet of the ford
- 7 Umpanga ka Mama Mama's death
- 8 Ingxoxo yo Mginwa ku Magqoboka! A Red debates with Christians
- 9 Unyikimo Lomhlaba-E-Rautini Johannesburg earthquake
- 10 Maibuye! I Afrika! Awu! Come back, Africa! Awu!
- 11 Yacombuluka! Inamba u 1923 ebisoloko ifukamele ukunduluka A long lying-in, then the python uncoils and leaves! (1923)
- 12 Ufikile! Udubulesendlwini bac'ol'i nto emnyango! Kuse beyifanisa (New Year) It's here! Find-at-the-Door-What-you-Shot-from-Inside and only later identified! (New Year)
- 13 Pulapulani! Makowetu Listen, compatriots!
- 14 Abaprofeti benyaniso-nabo-buxoki Prophets false and true
- 15 Zatsha! Inkomo Nomazakuzaku! Something's coming!
- 16 Induli ka Xakeka!—Enyukwa ngu Ntu!! The hill Difficulty the black man scales
- 17 Umanyano! Basebenzi Abantsundu!! Unity, black workers!
- 18 Umpanga! ka Rev BS Mazwi The loss of Rev BS Mazwi
- 19 Vumisani! kwi Nyange Lemihla!! Consult the ancient sage!
- 20 Ingwe Idla Ngamabala!! Spots feed the leopard
- 21 I Afrika ihleli Ayiyangandawo!! Africa stayed! She's nowhere else!!
- 22 Ikona na Intaba Oyaziyo? Kwezi Zimiyo Eyaka Yafuduka? Show me the mountain that packed up and left
- 23 Isimbonono Saba Zali!! Lament of the parents
- 24 Zipina Inkokeli Ezinje ngo Daniel? Where are leaders like Daniel?
- 25 Ifikile! Ingqongqo Yomnqamlezo!! (Good Friday) He's here! The Drum of the Cross!! (Good Friday)
- 26 Sicope Emasebeni Emiti Njengentaka!! We perch like birds on twigs
- 27 Iziko Lenyembezi!! The vale of tears
- 28 Sahluke Pina Tina ku Kayin? How do we differ from Cain?
- 29 Izibuko!! A ford!
- 30 Ukutula! Ikwakukuvuma!! Silence implies consent
- 31 Umanyano! Nomfela ndawonye!! Prayer Union and Die-As-One
- 32 Kuguzulwa Okumkani! Kumiswe Okumkani!! The king is dead! Long live the king!
- 33 Isizwe! Esingavaniyo! Nesingavelaniyo! Siyadwatywa Zezinye!! Strangers strip a squabbling nation
- 34 Utywala Sisiqu Sempundulu! Liquor's the lightning-bird itself
- 35 Siyayibinza!—I Afrika!! We're stabbing Africa!
- 36 Imimiselo ye Zizwe! Iwugqwetile Lomhlaba ka Palo! Foreign laws have upended this land of Phalo!
- 37 Izililo! Ze Afrika!! Africa's wailings
- 38 Emva! Kumasiko Andulo!! Back to age-old ways!
- 39 Abafazi! Bomtandazo!! Pulapula!!! Women of the Prayer Unions Listen!
- 40 Saxulutywa!—Ngamatye Omsebenzi!! Our efforts stone us!
- 41 Mene! Mene! Tekele! Ufarsin!! Mene! Mene! Tekel! Parsin!!
- 42 “Masizake”!! Yin’ nale!!! What's this? Let's build for each other!
- 43 “Ub'inqo”! We-Afrika!! Africa's petticoat
- 44 Umfula! Wosizi!! The stream of despair
- 45 Ziyazaliseka—Ngoku! Izihlabo ko Ntsundu!! Pulapula!!! The prophecies about blacks have now come to pass! Listen!
- 46 Ingonyama! Yobumnyama Isagquma!! The lion of blackness still roars
- 47 Amaqaba! Pulapula Reds! Listen
- 48 Singu-Ndabamlonyeni! We're the topic of talk
- 49 Lunguza! Ku-ya-sa Take a look, dawn's breaking
- 50 Sesanina? Esisimb'onono? What's this lament?
- 51 Lityumtyum! E-Afrika!! Pulapula!!! Something's rotten in Africa Listen!
- 52 Inyikima e Rautini! Gqala esase Sodom!! Joburg earthquake: remember Sodom
- 53 Wabutwana—Afrika? Njengezitungu—Zesanda? Are you bundled for threshing, Africa?
- 54 Yintsomi yo Nomeva!! The tale of the wasps
- 55 Ukuba Umntu! Akakwazi!! Ukuyongamela Eyake-Indlu!!! Angatinina Ukupata Isizwe Sika Tixo? If a man can't rule his own house, how would he manage God's nation?
- 56 Hosanna!! Melkizedek!!! (Xmas) Hosanna! Melchizedek!! (Xmas)
- 57 Zemk’ Inkomo Zetafa! Zeza Nenkungu!! They are stealing our cattle on misty plains!
- 58 Yaqengqelekana Iminyaka Umi Ndaweninye? Will the years roll by while you mark time?
- 59 Watsha Umzi! Lupawu Luka Kayini!! (Passport) The mark of Cain (the pass) enflames the land
- 60 Ubusuku—Bunzulu! Ekuzeni—Kokusa!! The night is deep before the dawn
- 61 Wazinyatela na? Intombi Zezwe Lako Zibe Ngamakoboka? Are you trampling your nation's girls to enslave them?
- 62 Lipina Iqula Lamanzi e Afrika? Where's a well in Africa?
- 63 Tabata! Naso Isitshixo!! Esikinxe Izwe Lako!!! There's the key to the lock on your land: take it!
- 64 Vumani! Siyavuma!! “Agree!” “Agreed!!”
- 65 Zapela Inkomo! Luqaulo Lwemitshato!! Cattle are lost in divorce
- 66 Mazibhange! Izikumbuzo Ezingenalo u Manyano Stop the divisive commemorations
- 67 Wapulwana Afrika Njengesitya Esingananziweyo? Africa, are you trashed like a worthless plate?
- 68 Siyavuma!! Agreed!
- 69 Ngubani Oti Ukuvumisa Akufuneki? Who said there's no need of divination?
- 70 Tsheca-Lomgibe!! Snap this snare
- 71 Ukuxoka! Pulapula!! Gossip! Listen!!
- 72 Nantso-Igushakazi! Pantsi Kwabaguguli!! (Good Friday) Behold the lamb set for shearing (Good Friday)
- 73 Qengqa!-Elolitye!! (Easter) Roll back the stone! (Easter)
- 74 Tixo Wam! Tixo Wam! Undishiyelanina? My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?
- 75 Hambani! Niyekuzenza Abafundi Zonke Intlanga!! Go forth and teach all nations
- 76 Siyakuzizekela Ninina Uzuko? When will we gain ourselves glory?
- 77 Hosanna! Cibi Elino Mnqwazi Ngapezulu!! (Xmas) Hosanna, Lake with a bonnet on top! (Xmas)
- 78 Zemk’ Inkomo Zetafa!! 1925 On the plains they're stealing our cattle! 1925
- 79 Yaqengqelekana Yonke Iminyaka Umi ndaweninye? (1926) Will the years all roll by while you mark time? (1926)
- 80 Ilizwe-Liyakutungwa-Njengengubo!! The country will be patched like clothing!!
- 81 Umanyano! Mihlamb’ Eyalanayo!! Unity, diverse sheep!!
- 82 Nalo Igazi! Lidyob’ Umzimba Wake!! (Good Friday) Look at his blood-flecked body (Good Friday)
- 83 Vuyani! Uxolile u Tixo Wezulu! (Easter) Agree! God in heaven's reconciled!! (Easter)
- 84 Umona! Pulapula!! Envy! Listen!!
- 85 Simi pina? Where do we stand?
- 86 Isizwe Esingena Tixo Siyatshabalala A godless nation perishes
- 87 U-Yehova Uyasivana? Does Jehovah hear us?
- 88 Namhla Izwi Lake Lise Zaqwitini!! (Usuku loku Nyukela) Today he roars in a whirlwind! (Ascension Day)
- 89 Isimbonono se Afrika!! Africa's lament!!
- 90 Utando!! Love!!
- 91 Umanyano Nomfela Ndawonye! Prayer Union and Die-As-One
- 92 Yeyapina Lemfundiso? Where does this teaching come from?
- 93 Siyayikumbula Njena Indlala? Do we remember the famine?
- 94 Uvelwano! Pulapula!! Sympathy! Listen!!
- 95 Yacombuluka Inamba Ebisoloke Ifukamele Ukunduluka (Abefundisi) A long lying-in, then the python uncoils and leaves (Ministers)
- 96 Umonde!! Patience
- 97 Yayisenzelwa Ntonina i Bhaibhile? Why was the bible created?
- 98 Azi Le Afrika Iyakuze Ibuye na? Will this Africa ever come back?
- 99 Vumani! Siyavuma!! “Agree!” “Agreed!!”
- 100 Lomzi Wakona na Sawubizana? Did we invite this nation of theirs?
- 101 Sabelani Niyabizwa Balindi Watchmen, respond: you're summoned!!
- 102 Gqumani Zilwandle! Gcobani Mihlaba! (Xmas) Roar, oceans! Frolic, continents!! (Xmas)
- 103 Zemk'Inkomo Zetafa—Vula Ndingene! On the plains they're stealing our cattle!
- Notes
- Bibliography
Summary
“Before 1870,” observes Luli Callinicos, “most Africans in southern Africa lived in independent chiefdoms. These existed alongside some small Trekker or Boer Republics and the British colonies of the Cape and Natal. Less than fifty years later, an industrial revolution had swept up all these little states and chiefdoms into one large state dominated by white capitalists” (1987: 11). Nontsizi Mgqwetho was caught up in that revolution: she lived on the Witwatersrand goldfields, but looked back to her rural background in the Cape, and to earlier, happier times when the independent Xhosa chiefdoms were free of white domination. For nearly a decade, from 1920 to 1929, she contributed poetry to a Johannesburg newspaper, Umteteli wa Bantu, the first and only female poet to produce a substantial body of work in Xhosa. Apart from what is revealed in these writings, however, very little is known about her life. She explodes on the scene with her swaggering, urgent, confrontational woman's poetry on 23 October 1920, sends poems to the newspaper regularly throughout the three years from 1924 to 1926, withdraws for two years until two final poems appear in December 1928 and January 1929, then disappears into the shrouding silence she first burst from. Nothing more is heard from her, but the poetry she left immediately claims for her the status of one of the greatest literary artists ever to write in Xhosa, an anguished voice of an urban woman confronting male dominance, ineffective leadership, black apathy, white malice and indifference, economic exploitation and a tragic history of nineteenth-century territorial and cultural dispossession. She finds her strength in her own conception of the Christian God, and in Mother Africa, Nursemaid slain by her sucklings, who, she insists, has no need to respond to appeals for her return since she has never left, steadfastly standing by her disappointing people.
In a lament published on 2 December 1922 (poem 7), Nontsizi gives her mother's name as Emmah Jane Mgqwetto, the daughter of Zingelwa of the Cwerha clan, and associates her with the Hewu district near Queenstown. Nontsizi herself would have taken her father's clan, Chizama.
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- Information
- Nation's BountyThe Xhosa Poetry of Nontsizi Mgqwetho, pp. xiv - xxxPublisher: Wits University PressPrint publication year: 2007